Writing Wedding Invitations For Older Adults: A Guide

Writing a wedding invitation for older adults is not as complicated as it may seem. The first line of the invitation is dedicated to the host of the wedding, usually the party covering the expenses. Traditionally, this is the bride's parents, but nowadays it can be the groom's parents, the couple, or a combination of all three. The host line is followed by a request line, inviting guests to join the wedding celebration. This is traditionally worded as request the pleasure of your company, but more casual language such as invite you to join or please join us to celebrate is also common.

The next line is dedicated to the couple's names, with the bride's name typically coming before the groom's. This is followed by the ceremony details: the date, time, and location of the wedding. Finally, the invitation should include any post-ceremony plans, such as a cocktail hour or dinner and dancing. This is usually indicated with phrases such as reception to follow or dinner and dancing to follow.

Honoring deceased parents

Wording and Formatting

The traditional wedding invitation format includes the names of the couple's parents, indicating that they are hosting the wedding. When a parent is deceased, it can be challenging to know how to include them. One option is to use the phrase "late" after their name, indicating that they are no longer living but still honouring their memory. For example:

> [Engaged Person's Name]

> child of [Parent's Name] and the late [Deceased Parent's Name]

> [Engaged Person's Name]

> child of [Parent's Name] and [Step-Parent's Name] or [Parent's Name]

> request the honour of your presence at their marriage.

If both parents are deceased, you can follow a similar format and list both parents as "late".

> [Engaged Person's Name]

> child of the late [Parent's Name] and the late [Parent's Name]

> [Engaged Person's Name]

> child of [Parent's Name] and [Parent's Name]

> request the honour of your presence at their marriage.

Another option is to include the deceased parent's name after the engaged person's name, indicating their relationship. For example:

> [Engaged Person's Name]

> son/daughter of [Parent's Name] and the late [Deceased Parent's Name]

If the surviving parent has remarried, you can include the step-parent's name as well.

> [Engaged Person's Name]

> son/daughter of [Parent's Name] and the late [Deceased Parent's Name], and [Step-Parent's Name]

Other Considerations

If you don't want to include the deceased parent's name on the invitation itself, there are other ways to honour them. You can use a phrase like "together with their families" to indicate that both sets of parents are included without specifically naming them.

You can also choose to honour the deceased parent during the wedding ceremony or reception. Some ideas include:

• Lighting a memorial candle
• Reserving a seat for them at the ceremony and reception
• Including a note "in loving memory" in the wedding program
• Giving a toast in their honour
• Reading a memorial poem during the ceremony or reception
• Holding a bouquet of flowers that reminds you of them

Remember, the most important thing is to follow your heart and do what feels right for you and your family. Your guests will appreciate the thought and effort you put into honouring your deceased parents.

Divorced parents

When it comes to wedding invitation wording for older adults, the format is usually more traditional and formal. Here are some guidelines and examples specifically tailored for divorced parents:

Guidelines

• Each parent should be listed on a separate line, indicating that they are not married.
• The mother's name typically goes first, unless she is not contributing financially to the wedding, in which case the father's name comes first.
• Avoid using "and" to connect the parents' names.
• If both biological parents and step-parents are included, use the phrase "their daughter/son" to indicate that the couple is "their" child.
• If the bride's parents are divorced, her family's names are usually listed first, followed by the groom's family.
• If both sets of parents are divorced and hosting, mention their names separately:

> Mrs. Michelle Wright and Mr. John Monroe request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter Elizabeth Ann Monroe to Kevin Charles Black, son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Black.

Examples

Both parents divorced and contributing

If both of the couple's parents are divorced and financially contributing, you might word the invitation as follows:

> Along with Mr. & Mrs. John Underwood, request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their children on Saturday, the twenty-sixth of June, two thousand twenty-seven, at one o'clock in the afternoon, 777 East Grand Avenue, Prairie Fields, Iowa.

Mother only

If just the bride's mother is inviting, the wording can be:

> Mrs. [Mother's name] invites you to the marriage of her daughter [Bride's name] and [Groom's name] on [date] at [time]

Father only

If only the father is inviting, the wording can be adjusted:

> Mr. [Father's name] invites you to the wedding of [Bride's name] and [Groom's name] on [date] at [time]

Including step-parents

To include step-parents, simply adjust the wording to include their names along with the biological parent(s). For example:

> Mr. and Mrs. [Stepfather's name] and Mr. [Father's name] request the honour of your presence at the marriage of their daughter [Bride's name] and [Groom's name] on [date] at [time]

Remember, these are just guidelines and examples. Ultimately, the wording you choose should reflect what feels right for your family dynamics and the level of formality you desire.

Remarried parents

If the couple's parents are divorced and remarried, and you want to include both as hosts, you can include them all, keeping each parent on a separate line. If you're going to include the name of a stepparent, keep it on the same line as their partner. It might seem complex at first, but all it requires is a few more lines. Here's an example of how a bride with divorced (and remarried) parents worded the wedding invitation:

> Dr. Vance and Elizabeth Gregory and Mr. James Abner and Lydia Abner and Mr. Harold and Jane Hyland invite you to the wedding of their children Amy Abner and Charles Hyland 01.06.18 | 4 p.m. Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church Newport, California Reception immediately after

If you want to include the name of a deceased parent, you'll need to rearrange things a bit, as someone who has passed can't actually serve as a host. Try this, for example:

> Julia French, daughter of Mr. Adam French and the late Iris French, and Austin Mahoney, son of Mr. Camden and Elizabeth Mahoney, request the honor of your presence at their wedding on the fifth of May, two thousand seventeen at one o'clock in the afternoon The Reagan Library Simi Valley, California Dinner & dancing to follow Black tie required

Widowed parents

When it comes to wedding invitations for older adults, there are a few considerations to keep in mind, especially if one or both of the couple's parents are widowed. Here are some guidelines and examples to help you navigate this situation sensitively and effectively:

Host Line Wording:

It is common to honour a deceased parent alongside the couple's name. Here's an example: "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Marta Martinez," or "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert Martinez and the late Marta Martinez." If the surviving parent has remarried, you can include their new spouse's name as well. For instance, "Lauren Martinez, daughter of Robert and Michelle Martinez, and the late Marta Martinez."

Formal Invitation Wording:

If you want to include the widowed parent's name in the formal invitation wording, here's an example:

> Mrs. Sharon Henderson

>

> and the late Mr. Nathan Henderson

>

> request the honour of your presence

>

> at the marriage of their daughter

>

> Preston John Brackman

>

> on Saturday, the twenty-first of July

>

> Two thousand and twenty-six

>

>

> at five o'clock in the evening

>

> Dripping Springs, Texas

Less Formal Invitation Wording:

If you prefer a less formal approach, you can opt for something like this:

> Fatima and the late Arjun Sharma

>

> along with their families

>

> invite you to the celebration of their marriage

>

> on Saturday, July 21st, 2024, at 6:00 pm

>

> Bluxome Street Winery

>

> San Francisco, California

Honoring the Memory:

If you wish to include a deceased parent in your wedding invitation, there are alternative ways to honour their memory. Many couples choose to acknowledge their late parent through a loving tribute in the wedding program, a poem or reading recited in their memory, or by playing a meaningful song at the reception. These gestures will not only contribute to the emotions of the day but will also be appreciated by other family members and guests.

Timing and Sensitivity:

When addressing a widowed parent's invitation, it is essential to be mindful of their feelings and the timing of your invitation. If the loss is recent, consider sending the invitation with a handwritten letter expressing your condolences and understanding if they are not up for attending the wedding. It is also advisable to wait until after the funeral to send the invitation.

Step-parents

When it comes to wedding invitations, there are many ways to include step-parents, depending on their role in the wedding and your personal preference. Here are some options to consider:

Including Step-parents' Names

If you want to include the names of step-parents, especially if they are contributing financially to the wedding, there are a few ways to do so:

• Mother's Name First: Regardless of whether your mother is remarried after divorce, her name should appear first, on its own line. If your mother has remarried, her name and your step-father's name will appear together on the first line, followed by your father and his spouse (if applicable) on the next line. For example: "Mr. and Mrs. Sean Hamilton (mother + step-father) and Mr. John Davis (father) request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Stephanie Elizabeth, to..."
• Using Your Last Name: If both your parents have remarried and there are multiple names above yours and your fiancé's, it is traditional to include your last name on the invitation for clarification. For example: "Mr. and Mrs. Sean Hamilton (mother + step-father) and Mr. and Mrs. John Davis (father + step-mother) request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter, Stephanie Elizabeth Davis..."

Not Listing All Step-parents

If you feel overwhelmed by the number of names or prefer a simpler approach, it is acceptable to use phrases such as "Together with their families" or "Together with their parents" at the beginning of the invitation. This approach is helpful if the groom's parents are also divorced and remarried. While some consider this wording informal, it is becoming increasingly acceptable, especially with certain invitation designs. It is a good idea to discuss this option with your parents beforehand to hear their thoughts and preferences.

Frequently asked questions